EDISON, NJ–On Thursday evening, GMC Hoops traveled over to the Physical Education Center on the main campus of Middlesex County College to take in some of the opening round playoff action at the 2008 Middlesex County College Summer League. Arriving during the 6:00 PM hour, the web site only got to see the one game going on at that time between Sayreville and Timothy Christian I. Afterwards, the site traveled over to Bound Brook to take in some of the action there. Although the site only saw the second half of one game, it still turned out to be quite a thriller, and a great game to write about.
In this first round contest between 13th seeded Sayreville (JV), and fourth seeded Timothy Christian I, the Tigers jumped out to an 18-1 first half lead, and held an 18-4 advantage at the brief intermission. However, Sayreville rallied in the second half as TCS I tried to slow things down, and run some time off the clock. The Junior Bombers took advantage of the Tigers passive approach with more pressure and aggressive play. Consequently, Sayreville went on a 21-10 surge including an 8-0 run to close to within three in the final minute. However, in the end, Timothy Christian I was able to prevail and advance as Sayreville missed two three point attempts down the stretch, and fouled the Tigers on the rebound. TCS I then made one of two at the line with 14 seconds to play to round out the final 29-25 score.
GMC Hoops joined the action with about five minutes left in the contest, and Timothy Christian I was leading 28-17. However, the Junior Bombers quickly got a basket at the 4:48 mark, and then a steal for a layup at the 4:37 mark to pull within seven at 28-21. At this point, the reserves on the Sayreville bench were all on their feet trying to urge their comrades on the playing floor to continue the momentum. Following a TCS I timeout at the 4:23 mark, the Tigers were forced to commit a turnover. Fifty seconds later, the Junior Bombers pulled to within one. Nearly a minute after that, Sayreville’s pressure forced another turnover thanks to a steal on the right side of the floor. The Junior Bomber player then went in for a layup, and was flagrantly fouled, and that resulted in a pair of free throws, and a 28-24 TCS I lead at the 2:27 mark.
Sayreville then took the side out of bounds, but couldn’t take advantage. However, the Junior Bombers once again forced a turnover via the steal, and drove through the middle for a layup attempt that drew another foul, and produced one of two from the charity stripe for a 28-25 Timothy Christian I edge with 2:03 to go. The Tigers, which currently are a member of the Patriot Conference, but will be joining the GMC in a few years, had a chance to put the game away went a player went through the lazy Sayreville defense, but missed a seemingly easy layup at the 1:19 mark. Following a timeout at the 57 second mark, Sayreville took a three point attempt from the top of the key with 33 seconds left, but it hit iron. Getting the ball back, the Junior Bombers tried again, but this time TCS I’s defense, a box and one, was ready, and again Sayreville missed a trey with 14 seconds remaining.
Timothy Christian I then netted the one of two at the line to seal the four point victory. The Junior Bombers had a chance to get some sort of score in the waning moments that could have helped set up a press, but they couldn’t get a shot off, and the Tigers came away with a 29-25 win. With the victory, TCS I moves on to the Quarterfinals, where it will play either South Hunterdon, or its brethren, Timothy Christian II next week.
| Team | 1 | 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Christian I | 18 | 11 | 29 |
| Sayreville | 4 | 21 | 25 |